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NEXT MEMBERSHIP CLASS
IS SEPTEMBER 27th 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 PM
Make your reservation by Calling Brad at X110
Why Join The Church?
A study of the Book of Acts will reveal that within the early Church, there was no option as to whether or not a believer “belonged to the church.” A person who became a new creature in Christ was simply expected to become involved in Christ’s Body – the Church. Although formal membership rolls were not initially kept, specific identification with the Church was a vital part of discipleship.
As we have seen in Acts 2:47, “the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.” In other words, as people started trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, God added them to the Church!
With this Biblical and historical foundation, I would like to suggest ten specific reasons, which all Christian believers need to prayerfully consider as they ask, “Why join the Church?”
1. To Become a Participant:
God has called us to a life of active discipleship. He has asked us to leave all and follow Him – to be a participant and not merely a spectator (Mark 8:34). There is no Biblical basis for spectatorship. We are called to involvement!
2. To Enjoy The Sense of Belonging:
Behavioral scientists have confirmed the Biblical contention that all persons need “to belong.” We need to love and to be loved! We desperately need not to be “outsiders” looking in on God’s family, but rather be “insiders” belonging to Christ’s Body and functioning as Body members.
3. To be Identified:
Jesus often spoke of the importance of being identified with Him. Becoming a member of a local church is to be identified with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! Such identification declares to the entire world, “I have decided to follow Jesus!”
4. To “Live Out” My Life as a Disciple:
As we have already shared, the New Testament has much to say about believers becoming members of the Body of Christ. Both Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 speak very graphically about the fact that each person who is a new creature in Christ becomes a member of the Body. If this is to become functional, it can only take place when believers make the commitment to become involved in a local church fellowship.
The Biblical picture of the body is that all the members belong not only to God, but to one another. They are related to one another. When one member hurts, all the body hurts. When one member rejoices, all the Body rejoices! To be a disciple of Christ involves being a part of His Body – the Church and relating to other believers within the Body. This seems not to be an option – but an imperative!
5. To Follow Christ in Obedience:
Jesus Christ always called people to a commitment of life. For example, in John 14:21 Jesus stated that “he who loves me is he who obeys me.” To belong to the local church is an act of obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
6. To Help Determine Ministries:
Jesus stated that He has called us not only to be ministered unto, but also to minister to others. Only by being a member of a local church can one help in determining the priorities and the future course of that church’s ministry.
7. To Give and Not Just Receive:
The Biblical model of discipleship is marked by “agape” love. Jesus said that “agape” love would be the outward identification of a Christian (John 13:35). Jesus also taught that the goal of His disciples should not be to “get” but rather should be to “give.” “Agape” love is concerned about giving! Jesus called us to lovingly serve Him and one another. Spiritual gifts are to be used not for one’s own gratification but in service to others (1 Peter 4:10).
In my opinion, it is immoral for a believer to sit in a church pew merely to “get.” This conduct assures one of becoming a stagnant
8. To Grow and Mature Personally:
In Ephesians 4, Paul shares a very practical model for personal growth and maturing. In short, he teaches that the key to personal growth is to be functioning as a member of the Body of Christ – the Church! Christians do not mature in isolation. Members of Christ’s Body contribute to the growth of each other. Only when each member of the Body is functioning does personal and corporate growth occur. You can never become the person which God desires you to become without being related to other Christians within Christ’s Church!
9. To Fellowship:
Koinonia or “fellowship” is one of the exciting fringe benefits of Christian discipleship. In fact, we read in Acts 2:42 that Koinonia was a priority in the early Church. Koinonia means the sharing of life and encouraging other believers (Hebrews 10:24,25). All things become common. This in-depth relationship is very difficult to enjoy without being an active member of the local Body. Unfortunately, people often feel like “outsiders” looking in at Koinonia rather than “insiders” and “participants” enjoying this deep communion with the saints. I believe that God wants all of His disciples to enjoy the wonderful gift of Koinonia.
10. To Be Responsible and Accountable:
Ultimate fulfillment in the Christian life does not come without responsibility and accountability. All of us need Christian brothers and sisters – not only for fellowship but for accountability. The Scripture declares that we should be subject to one another (1 Peter 5:5). I have found life to be most meaningful when I am accountable to a group of fellow Christians who love me and who want God’s best for me! This should be one of the great joys of church membership.
Presbyterian Church
Here is a small portion of information about the Presbyterian Church (USA), one of the many options for worship today. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has approximately 2.5 million members, 11,200 congregations and 21,000 ordained ministers. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian Church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
If you’d like to become a member of Palm City Presbyterian Church, please come to our next membership class which will be held September 27th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm. To make your reservation call Brad at x110.